Tag Archives: Voting

wicked weekend & some News


It has been a tough December what with the wicked wind, rolling thunder, and flashes of lightening. I say that knowing folks are out there taking incredible photos of what it all looks like and will be online soon which most of us enjoy. It is cold here but not anywhere close to the mid-west and or east coast.

Today, we all woke up knowing dadt is now a thing of the past and while I have no friends severing in the military, anymore we all know people with friends, co-workers, and neighbors serving who will sigh with relief once President Obama signs the repeal and it becomes law as soon as possible. We all need to be reminded that dadt is a civil rights issue on all angles and as one wants to move into the 21st Century repealing dadt clearly is not only a great achievement it is another move toward equality for all.

I will admit i was sad but not surprised that the Dream Act failed to pass. The Dream Act failure as the media remarks is only a postponement of what will become a reality some day hopefully. I dare anyone in Congress who voted against Dream Act to say there were no dreamers in their own families who came to the U.S. We are a country built by immigrants (Dreamers) by the way. The unconscionable behavior on the floor of Congress during the Dream Act debate was offensive, embarrassing and quite sad because my family like so many of us would not be here today had people been as discriminatory as those speaking out against the Dream Act on the floor of Congress. I would like to tell Republicans that the current Dreamers though young are future American Dreamers who will be voters.

The bad and or guilty party if the tax deal had not passed would have definitely been on the backs of the Republican Tea Party. It is obvious some in our own democratic party have to be held accountable too as our President encouraged them to get certain legislation done 20 months ago but even our own blew him off with comments of we have plenty of time before the midterm elections. The fact that most if not all members of Congress spent a lot of time posturing at the podium with banter of lets debate this thing, lets go through this bill line by line blah blah was disappointing with the end result being a Congress that will be controlled by the Tea Party and not democrats. The frequent delays has put some of President Obama’s most important campaign promises at risk with only a few days left in 2010 to debate, vote, and pass legislation. Thankfully, the tax deal passed and President Obama signed it. I know a lot of our democratic members of Congress had to hold their noses while voting for the tax deal. This voter thanks all those who decided to think about, support, and give help to folks that needed though it is with great sadness the 99ers left out of the deal will be included in some legislation soon.

It is my opinion that President Obama has proved himself to be one of only a few grown-ups in the negotiation room and while the Republican Tea Party decided to use Americans as pawns over two years ago, their effort to not only get what they want but make the President look bad by holding Americans hostage continues. I know we all see the Republican Tea Party putting one over on Americans who voted them into power during the Midterm elections on a daily basis. The lying, laughing while on the floor of Congress is getting old, tiring and most certainly seems un-American. The tax deal took the President a couple of days, maybe a week, or two to get done with some objections in both political parties. The biggest revelation folks should take from the midterm elections – is if you voted for Republicans, you made a big mistake. The overt and relaxing but negative position certain Republican members of Congress have and it definitely is not with Americans. In addition, the RPT campaigned on listening to Americans, creating JOBS JOBS JOBS, and fixing the economy. They actually succeeded in showing us exactly what is most important to them and it is all about money for the rich. It also shows how cold they are by announcing a lock step decision to vote against the very legislation that could help Americans and participated in with plenty of perks for various Republican Tea Party members only to back away from the agreed upon changes and vote the bills down. The political games began two years ago and yes I keep saying the same thing…they continue. Even with all the nonsense, the Republicans have thrown at him. It is outstanding, incredible that President Obama has achieved more successes than previous President’s have and or in Congress. It is obvious that President Obama’s successes need more recognition by the media and those who have been on the negative bandwagon for the last two years.

Lastly, we only have a few days left before the new Congress gets seated and the current debates going on in the Senate over the last few weeks regarding START, FY2011 and the 9/11 Responders  not only shows a clear disrespect from Republicans but a determination to stay dedicated to what Jon Boehner said 2 years ago. The Republican Tea Party has tried to ruin President Obama and his Presidency hoping to find that one legislation that will become his waterloo. I would like to ask -How is that working out for you so far. I do not know about anyone else but I say stay the course until and unless leaning left is required President Obama because We the People voted you in to fight for the Middle Class and in doing so we expect you to as well as keep those campaign promises. I think the Democratic Party looks better when our President is bipartisan yet achieves wins for the Middle Class and in doing so 2012 looks good for him and the Democratic Party.

The choice is easy, either you vote for helping out your fellow American or you vote no so that the President does not get a victory and gotta say if a political party can vote against  helping the 9/11 responders we have to wonder who these people truly represent.

CSPAN …

weekend review &some News


Sunday Buzzzzz … A good day to reach for the sky while breathing deeply through your nose then slowly exhale through your mouth while slowly lowering your arms, head, shoulders, chest and waist  bend knees -repeat when needed …

Tired of “the media” BS yet? and can i just say the only grown-ups on the floor of Congress on Saturday were from the Democratic party but hey that is just my opinion.  In his latest commentary, Bloomberg states the President needs better advisors even though President Obama has kept more than half of his campaign promises made to the 53% that voted for him in 2008. I wonder if that information has been readily available in your State.I would like to thank our President for doing such a great job despite the 24/7 News cycle bashing him and the obstructionist called the Republican Tea Party. I would ask our President to keep his campaign promises and heed this alert: the Low Information Voters are not tuning in or paying attention so get out there because according to reports they made up 10% of those that decided to lean right. I say folks have to remember that President Obama does not make, create or pass legislation into laws, our Congress does so all complaints about bills not getting on the floor of Congress should be directed at Republican Tea Partiers who have held most if not all of them up or blocked, stalled and just said no to.

FYI President Obama signs major trade pact agreement with S.Korea -which is a big deal though “The Media” has chosen to ignore it as well as signing the bill to avert a government shut-down.

Today I got up early to see the Bush tax giveaways also called procedural votes on the Senate floor and was quite sad but of course, the media predicted the defeat before hand and unfortunately, they were correct. The point was to get it on the record while showing Americans just what and who they voted for in the Mid-term elections. It is a sad day to realize that a Political Party would put their ideology above the needs of their fellow Americans but the Republican Tea Party did without flinching, thinking of their constituents I guess and all for the love of money. The Bush Tax Cuts of 2001&2003 were given, scheduled to expire 12/31/10 and unpaid for a long with the two wars waged which cost Americans trillions of our money. The fact is the tax cuts, 2Wars, Wall Street bets, AIG insurance selling banking products as well as too much deregulation sent our economy over the cliff -sigh

In great news, The President secured a trade agreement with S.Korea that all Americans should be proud of though if you listen to the News that trade agreement is not as important at least not to “the media” as the defeat or votes against the Obama Administration coming from the cables. Is it just me or does anyone else feel like it is un-American to see so many in the news waiting to report a defeat or any other negative item regarding President Obama. In a time when things are so tough and a large number of voters leaned left we all see the Republican Tea Party gain strength tell the public lies and now the joke is on all of us. They say their focus is on Jobs, economy and doing the work of the People yet RTP continue to vote against UI stating people on UI do not look for jobs. I have to say every time one of them makes a statement that is obviously negative I wonder where the outrage is. I wonder what will be enough BS in order for people to March on DC the reports are that there are five people applying for one job and while members of RTP Congress have jobs it is clear they are all out of touch, engage in elitist behavior and decided a long time ago that not only would they refuse to cooperate with the First Black President they will do whatever is necessary to bring him down even if it means taking us all down and today provided an insight to the horrible people that obviously fooled Americans into voting for them on Nov.2 and that is quite sad.

So, it’s Friday and very cold but we def are not snowbound like the east coast …a lot has happened and it’s only 10am here in the 206. I am hoping the President’s trip goes well and is def a safe one. The debating and or voting going on in Congress today will continue into the weekend and it has my blood boiling. Hopefully, our Democratic Party will hold firm and show Americans the truth of how the Republican Tea Party just is not who the claim to be as shown to us all with the letter stating they will not cooperate unless they get their Bush tax giveaways. If nothing else this should be the evidence Americans need to show they had no intention of focusing on jobs our economy or doing the peoples business. The last two years the focus has been on obstruction, ruining the governing party and President Obama. The jobs numbers tell me that Corporate America has a long and complicit relationship with the Republican Tea Party that is long, deep, probably cannot be broken and or completely be reformed unless and until ALL Americans see the trouble the Republican Tea Party will be and put the Democratic Party back in control…in both Chambers of Congress.

This week the lame duck session restarted on a positive note with a vote of 73-25 passing the Food Safety Bill that will when put into implementation keep most Americans Safe. Unfortunately, due to a Senate error this Bill was put on hold and is probably going to be held hostage along with other legislation that would not only protect Americans it could have been a bill that passed with bipartisanship but that was clearly too much to ask for. While that was taking place, we all waited for the DADT report and most if not all reports were that the response had been better than anticipated. Reports were that 70% were okay with repealing DADT but folks in the Marines were not as responsive. The comments made by Gen.Gates about dadt were definitely positive. It would seem like an  easy task to just take the vote and pass dadt but  the Republican Tea Party who supported the repeal of DADT now have flip flopped by deciding the reports from Generals were not good enough. Again, my question is where is the outrage from people who support the repeal and or gays who know the impact the repeal would have on so many because contrary to folks out there it is Congress who has the responsibility to make it a law not the President who is getting the blame.

I am quite sure the START treaty is not only a National Security issue but is and has always been a bipartisan issue but is being used by the Republican Tea Party along with other legislation as pawns to again-get those Bush giveaways or else. This kind of behavior is childish and

In other News, our President had his first of many meetings to come with Republicans and the first documented outcome of that meeting by President Obama is below:

Though our President held a positive press conference concerning the meeting with Republicans, it is unfortunate that the Republican Tea Party thumbed their noses at our President and continue to be the Party of No by blocking unemployment today to several million. The Republican Tea Party continues want those Bush tax give always before they will cooperate on the floor of Congress, which Americans or most Americans feel we cannot afford to give them right now. At what point during the course of the lame duck Session in Congress will Republican constituents finally see the carpetbaggers for what they are?

The President has asked the Middle lower class to sacrifice again by freezing federal salaries for two years now he must make the rich sacrifice as well because they have not.

Other News

**If you order online on or before Dec.17th most will offer free shipping -called free shipping day

**A grocery workers have ratified their contract in king, kitsap, snohomish counties and covers indpdt grocery workers as well 95% voted yes

**SKnight was arrested on parole violation

**Did you know the RNC is in debt -15million w/about 2million banked the DNC is in debt -15million but has about 10million banked

**   http://www.king5.com/home/Late-TD-gives-Washington-35-28-win-over-WSU-111332549.html  <<< copy & paste link for the story

**President Obama secures major trade pact with S.Korea

**The President signs bill that will avert government shut down

**President Obama is met with newly elected Gov. -told them to call w/any and all probs they don’t want to hear it on tv first -sigh-

**

**Health Care Premiums have gone up 41%

**Alan Simpson debt comm vote to bring there legislation to the floor of Congress needs 14 votes they have 7 at this time. The final vote was 11-7 and failed to get to the flr of Congress

**Temp Fed spending FY 2011 239-178 -with 8Democrats voting No and 2Republicans voting yes

**Rangel censure vote will happen on Thursday with a full Censure

**Food Safety bill may be held up by the House GOP due to Senate errors

**Mid-Class tax cut vote may take place today-Steny Hoyer might allow them

**The START treaty is being debated in the Senate but who knows when the vote will be

**Kathleen Kennedy Townsend has put together a group to battle against the big money used in the Mid-terms

CSPAN …


President Obama Remarks on New Free-Trade Agreement President Obama Remarks on New Free-Trade Agreement
Saturday
Weekly Addresses Weekly Addresses
Saturday
President Obama Remarks to Troops in Afghanistan President Obama Remarks to Troops in Afghanistan
Friday
House Floor Debate & Vote on Censure of Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) House Floor Debate & Vote on Censure of Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
Thursday
Pres. Obama Meets with Newly Elected Governors Pres. Obama Meets with Newly Elected Governors
Thursday
House Min. Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) Weekly Legislative Briefing House Min. Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) Weekly Legislative Briefing
Thursday
Sen. Crapo (R-ID) & Sen. Coburn (R-OK) Remarks on Debt Commission Sen. Crapo (R-ID) & Sen. Coburn (R-OK) Remarks on Debt Commission
Thursday
Senate Commerce Cmte. Hearing on Health Mini-Policies Senate Commerce Cmte. Hearing on Health Mini-Policies
Wednesday
Pres. Obama & Fmr. Sec.of State Colin Powell Remarks on START Treaty Pres. Obama & Fmr. Sec.of State Colin Powell Remarks on START Treaty
Wednesday
White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Wednesday
Debt Commission Meets to Vote on Debt Reduction Plan Debt Commission Meets to Vote on Debt Reduction Plan
Wednesday
House Foreign Affairs Cmte. Hearing on Iran Sanctions House Foreign Affairs Cmte. Hearing on Iran Sanctions
Wednesday
Senate Banking Cmte. Hearing on Mortgages Senate Banking Cmte. Hearing on Mortgages
Wednesday
British House of Commons Prime Minister's Questions British House of Commons Prime Minister’s Questions
Wednesday
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) Remarks on Lame-Duck Session Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) Remarks on Lame-Duck Session
Tuesday
Senate Democrat Leaders Weekly Party  Lunch Remarks Senate Democrat Leaders Weekly Party Lunch Remarks
Tuesday
Senate GOP Leaders Weekly Party Lunch Remarks Senate GOP Leaders Weekly Party Lunch Remarks
Tuesday

It’s time to pass the DREAM Act


Organizing for America

A House vote on the DREAM Act may be coming soon — but the vote will be close.

And in the coming days, lawmakers will be looking to their constituents to decide where they stand.

It’s a vitally important measure. Providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth who serve in the military or work toward a college degree is rooted in the American principles of hard work and fairness.

OFA supporters have made calls to key senators in preparation for the Senate vote. Now, your representative needs to hear that you support the DREAM Act — and why. Theirs could be the deciding vote.

Will you write a letter to your representative today?

If they’ve already been fighting for the DREAM Act, it’s important they know you have their back — and if they aren’t yet supporting it, let them know where you stand. It’ll only take a minute, and it could make all the difference.

We’ve worked hard for this moment. For years, immigration reform advocates have fought to give undocumented youth a chance to earn their citizenship through hard work and sacrifice — and this current push for the DREAM Act represents the culmination of those efforts.

And with the support of the President and 70 percent of Americans, the time to finish the job is now.

With this vote, we have a chance to make sure that these youth have a shot at the American dream.

Please write your representative now:

http://my.barackobama.com/DreamLetters

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Recount Alert Updates: Good News



You never stopped fighting.

Your generosity and commitment helped us surpass our Voter Protection Efforts goal in time to get critical resources out to campaigns locked in too close-to-call races.

I’m pleased to report that two more seats were called for Democrats this week. Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia and Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington are returning to Congress because you stood with us to make sure every vote was counted fairly and accurately.

But, there are still eight Democrats in the fight of their lives in too close-to-call races. In the early morning hours of the day after the Election, we dispatched legal teams and staff and have been rushing resources to their aides. But, the truth is that this may be a continuing timely and costly process, and we can’t leave these Democrats when they need us the most. We must raise an additional $100,000 by this Monday to keep up the fight.

Please rush a contribution of $5, $10 or more to help our Voter Protection efforts to keep the fight going. Your dollars to help us reach our goal by Monday will keep our teams on the ground able to stand their ground and protect our vote.

With eight races still too close to call, every dollar you contribute to our Voter Protection efforts is helping ensure we keep up the fight. We need to send more Democrats to Congress to stand with Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats in our 2012 fight, and to stand in the way of Republican plans to dismantle health care reform and Social Security.

Thank you for standing with us,

Jon Vogel
DCCC Executive Director

RE: Recount Alerts: Eight Outstanding


Midnight tonight marks a critical milestone in our unwavering campaign to move America forward.

That’s the deadline for sending urgently needed financial resources to the field to support eight Democrats in races that remain too close to call. The most important thing you can do right now to ensure we win these battleground races is help us raise the remaining $43,627 we need by tonight’s Voter Protection deadline.

In the early morning hours after Election Day, we sent staff and legal teams to help these members locked in battles but they need urgent resources to keep up the fight.

Contribute $5, $10 or more before Midnight Tonight to our Voter Protection efforts to help keep up the fight.

Stand Up for Democrats

I know I’ve asked a lot of you already. But what happens in these eight campaigns has enormous implications for the future. Having more Democrats in Congress will not only give us a head start on returning to the Majority in 2012, but it will also affect our ability to oppose the Republicans‘ radical plans for rolling back health care reform, dismantling the Department of Education and privatizing Social Security and Medicare.

Contribute $5, $10 or more before Midnight Tonight to our Voter Protection efforts to help keep up the fight.

Time and time again, you have refused to have your voices silenced by the special interests. Now we must reaffirm our commitment to ensure every vote is counted fairly and accurately.

Thank you,

Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House

P.S. There are only hours left before tonight’s Midnight deadline to send out money to our voter protection efforts. Please stand with me to make sure Republicans don’t repeat the questionable tactics they used in Florida in 2000. We need these eight Democrats in Congress. Contribute before Midnight Tonight to our Voter Protection efforts to help keep up the fight.